NEW ULM — North Park will be the site of the New Ulm’s new splashpad.

The city council unanimously approved North Park for the splashpad instead of Harman Park.

A splashpad is an aquatic play feature with no standing water or depth. With no standing water, a lifeguard is not necessary. The splashpad is described as a playground with water features.

The New Ulm City Council authorized accepting a donated splashpad from Barbara Haroldson during a November 20, 2018, meeting, but chose no location for the splashpad.

Staff originally recommended locating the splashpad at Harman Park due to its central location, restrooms, and rentable shelters. Haroldson also prefers Harman Park. The Park and Recreation Commission also recommended Harman Park.

However, the council tabled authorizing a location during an April 17 meeting. Prior to this meeting, the council received public feedback critical of the proposed Harman Park location.

Members of the public felt traffic on Garden Street was already too high and posed a safety risk for children. Adding the splashpad to this park would increase the traffic. Limited parking was another concern.

German Park was suggested as an alternative. Staff was concerned a splashpad at German Park would conflict with concerts, other performing arts event, and weddings.

Staff also rejected Lincoln and Washington Parks because both already have wading pools.

Riverside Park and Nehls Park were rejected because neither park had restroom facilities.

Park and Recreation staff reviewed the park options for the splashpad ahead of Tuesday’s meeting and once again selected Harman Park as the top location.

Park and Recreation Director Tom Schmitz presented traffic calming measures for Garden Street, including updated crosswalk striping and new signs or pedestrian bump-outs at the crosswalks.

Councilor David Christian said he was still nervous about the traffic count, which is second highest in the city. He believes traffic would only increase with the addition of a splashpad. Other improvements at the Recreation Center related to RENU projects would also increase traffic.

Councilor Charlie Schmitz said he would not support Harman Park. In addition to the traffic concern, the methods for reducing traffic would only increase the costs.

He favored German Park for the splashpad and does not believe it would conflict with other uses of the park. Council Schmitz said it could be shared with youth and those using German Park. A wedding should not restrict access to the rest of the park.

Christian asked Director Schmitz what his second choice was for the splashpad after Harman Park.

Schmitz said German Park or North Park were the next best options. Both parks have restrooms and shelters, and neither have water amenities.

Councilor Lisa Fischer favored North Park because it met all the requirements except the central location. Fischer felt a splashpad would work well for children brought to the park to attend ball games in the summer.

Christian supported North Park as well. He said the city was growing in the direction of North Park and this was an acceptable location for a splashpad.

Fischer made the motion to install the splashpad at North Park. Christian seconded the motion.

Councilor Les Schultz initially opposed North Park because the splashpad donor had asked it be installed at a central location, and German Park was still available.

Fischer said she appreciated the donation, but believes a splashpad could draw people to North Park. It is a growing part of the community, and the other options created too many conflicts.

Another benefit is sunlight. Fischer said the other locations were too shady for a summertime water feature.

Councilor Schmitz agreed that a splashpad in North Park would see greater use because the park has less shade and is near baseball fields. He understands why Haroldson requested a central location, but believes she would be fine with North Park as an alternative.

The council unanimously voted to install the splashpad at North Park. North Park is located at 1801 N. State St. The park has a playground and multiple baseball fields.

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Cara Knauf gave an update on the planned downtown holiday garland display. In 2016, the garlands led to a fire. This began a conversation about the safety of the decorations and who is liable in the event of an accident. In 2018, the building owners signed a one-year agreement allowing the city to hang garlands.

Ahead of the 2019 holiday season, the city needs to determine how to move forward with the garland tradition.

Knauf said currently the city owns the components of the garlands, including the bell, star centers and the guide wires. The Public Utilities Commission (PUC) contributes $2,000 toward the purchase of fresh garlands each year. The Chamber of Commerce pays the remaining cost of the garlands. The Street Department installs and removes the garlands.

There are 24 buildings that can have the garlands attached, for a total of 12 garlands, but not all have anchors attached. In 2017, seven garlands were hung and in 2018, eight garlands were hung.

A subcommittee of the Downtown Action Committee investigated the cost to have each building inspected to determine if it could hold the weight of a garland. The estimate was $100,000.

Suggestions for funding this inspection include: adding to the city budget, splitting the cost between the businesses; and seeking donations through fundraising.

The council took no action at this meeting but agreed to put in on their next agenda. Councilor David Christian said yes or no, the council needs to make a decision on whether to fund the garlands.

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The council approved a noise variance for New Ulm Area Catholic Schools (NUACS) following a public hearing. NUACS requested a permit for amplified music on 6th North Street between Washington and State Street for the school’s centennial celebration 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, September 21.

The city received a single call regarding the variance, but the caller did not object.

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Another public hearing was held for the 2019 surface reconstruction project. The project includes surface reconstruction to sections of 1st South Street, 5th South Street, 8th South Street and 9th South Street. A special $1,485 assessment per residential parcel benefiting from the project is recommended.

During the hearing, the city was asked how street resurfacing is prioritized. City Engineer Steve Koehler said each year a third of the city is reviewed as part of the city’s pavement management system. Roads in need of reconstruction are scheduled for surface reconstruction.

Koehler further explained the assessment is based on the estimate to repair a street and each residential property benefiting is assessed an equal share. Non-commercial properties, like churches, pay an incremental assessment. A second hearing will be held at a later date regarding the assessment payment.

Koehler estimated each block of the resurfacing project should take a month to complete, but this is dependent on the weather.

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The city accepted a bid from Schwickert’s-Tectra America of Mankato for the Recreation Center boiler system. The bid came in significantly under the estimate. The project was budgeted for nearly $1 million, but the low bid from Schwickert’s–Tectra America was $550,890.

The council was pleased with the low bid but questioned why the estimate was 40 higher than the actual cost.

Parks Director Schmitz said the budget estimate came from a different firm and this estimate is a few years old.